Saturday 3 November 2012

Book Review: Living with a Black Dog, by Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone

Depression I find to be as fascinating a topic as it is sad. Questions such as: what brings it about; why so few of those who suffer from it, see it; and, particularly, how comes the percentage of people who suffer from it rises year on year, even in places where quality of life is supposedly on the rise. But! This book is not so much about depression itself or the sufferer of it, as it about the caregiver - the partner, friend or colleague of the person experiencing depression ("harbouring a black dog"). A good, small, useful picture book summarising nicely advice for caregivers. The advice is split into things the caregiver may notice about the person experiencing depression, things not to say and do, things good to say and do, tips on embracing/acknowledging the black dog together, and, lastly, self-preservation so that the black dog does not rub off on the caregiver.

2 comments:

T H said...

Ummm... someone mentioned to me once depression is a state of mind which a person can easily rid himself of. You are the master of your mind, don't let depression enter the it... maybe this is the kind of words they need for a cure?

adil said...

From what I've seen and read about, I think ridding one's self of depression or a bad habit even is not difficult at all... once the person knows/admits they have a problem. There lies the cure and there lies the challenge. Realisation. Until then the black dog will have its way...